Blackwork star in an octagon hand embroidery pattern

Easy · 1 color · 3 kinds of stitch

Blackwork star in an octagon: preview of the stitched design

An eight-point star sits inside an eight-sided frame, all in one navy thread. It is blackwork: shapes filled with a small repeat of straight back stitches. The eight points of the star reach to the corners of the frame, and each holds a close diamond filling of back stitch. The eight-sided middle of the star is a ring of eight parts, parted by back stitch lines, with a French knot in each, round an eight-sided center that holds one knot. A knot stands in each space between the points of the star. The frame is two lines with a zigzag in the border between them and a knot in every corner. The star, the sides of the eight-sided middle, the center and both lines of the frame are stem stitch.

Size and details

Easy. Simple stitches in one color.

1 color of floss and 3 kinds of stitch, all of them line stitches and knots:

The stitched size, by hoop
Hoop	Inches	Centimeters
3 in (8 cm)	1.8 × 1.8 in	4.6 × 4.6 cm
4 in (10 cm)	2.7 × 2.7 in	6.9 × 6.9 cm
5 in (13 cm)	3.6 × 3.6 in	9.1 × 9.1 cm
6 in (15 cm)	4.5 × 4.5 in	11.4 × 11.4 cm
8 in (20 cm)	6.2 × 6.2 in	15.7 × 15.7 cm

In a 3 or 4 inch hoop the French knots are drawn smaller than about 2 mm (a little over 1/16 in). Use one strand of floss for them there, or choose a larger hoop.

The pattern is drawn inside a circle about half an inch (1.3 cm) smaller all around than the hoop.

What you need

DMC 336 Navy BlueClose diamond filling of the eight points of the star, lines that part the ring round the center, knots in the ring round the center, knot in the eight-sided center, knots in the spaces between the points of the star, zigzag in the border, knots in the corners of the border, eight-sided center, sides of the eight-sided middle, star, inner line of the frame and outer line of the frame

The floss is six-strand cotton; the stitch guide says how many strands to use. You also need a hoop, an embroidery needle (a size 7 to 9 suits two or three strands) and plain cotton or linen fabric. To frame the piece in its hoop, cut a square 3 inches (8 cm) wider than the hoop: a 9 inch (23 cm) square for a 6 inch hoop.

Stitch guide

Back stitch 2 strandsClose diamond filling of the eight points of the star, lines that part the ring round the center, zigzag in the border
French knot 2 strands, two wrapsKnots in the ring round the center, knot in the eight-sided center, knots in the spaces between the points of the star, knots in the corners of the border
Stem stitch 2 or 3 strandsEight-sided center, sides of the eight-sided middle, star, inner line of the frame, outer line of the frame

Getting it onto your fabric

The PDF holds the pattern twice at actual size: once as drawn, and once mirrored for an iron-on transfer pen. Print it at 100% with scaling off and check the one-inch square (25.4 mm) with a ruler before you trace. How to transfer a pattern explains tracing, carbon paper and the other ways. The files are under Downloads.